Outstanding GCSE results across AXe Valley area

STUDENTS across the Axe Valley area have achieved outstanding GCSE results - with some colleges breaking previous records.

Sixty nine per cent of Axe Valley Community College students gained 5A* to C, seven per cent above its previous record of 62 per cent in 2006.

Head teacher Martin Smith said the results were well above the targets set by the college.

He said: "Year 11 pupils have exceeded all expectations with these superb results and they have set a new standard for the college. They were challenged to exceed the college's previous record, which they achieved emphatically.

"I am very proud of the tremendous determination and commitment they have shown.

"The improvements are a result of expecting the best from every pupil. We have worked closely with pupils and parents to ensure that each pupil is on track and motivated to succeed. I would like to thank staff who have gone the extra mile to help them succeed."

Many pupils excelled. Among the highest performing pupils were Polly Budden, with six A*s, 3As and 1 B, and Ben Hall, with four A*s six As, one B and one C.

He said a high proportion of Year 11 students were set to join the new-look sixth form in September and their challenge will be to continue to make excellent progress.

The Woodroffe School also celebrated its highest set of GCSE results. Eighty three per cent of students achieved 5 A* to Cs - well above the national average.

The benchmark figure of five GCSEs (including English and maths) stood at 72 per cent.

Head teacher Dr Richard Steward said: "This is an excellent set of results. I am delighted to see that the school has again improved its performance and it is a pleasure to see so many superb individual performances.

"As ever, students have worked incredibly hard and one can only admire the commitment and determination of those young people who mange to achieve high grades across such a broad range of disciplines."

Outstanding performances included Karen Hayball, with six A*s and 4As, plus a C grade in AS Level Critical Thinking; Chris Brown, with four A*s, 5 As and a B, plus a C grade in AS Level Critical Thinking; Jake Sawer, Two A*s, eight As and a B; Jennifer Watts, two A*s, six As, two Bs and a C; Nathaniel Rees-Haughton, four A*s, one A and three Bs; Jessica Chalkley, two A*s, four As, one B and three Cs, plus a C grade in AS Level Critical Thinking; Harriet Fuller, two A*s, three As and six Bs; Stephanie Hallam, tow A*s, three As and five Bs; Catherine Butler, two A*s, two As, four Bs and three Cs; Jenny Clarke, one A*, four As and six Bs.

All students at Colyton Grammar School achieved the government target of five A* to C passes (including English, Maths and two sciences) and 80 per cent of all the grades achieved were A or A*.

Over half of the students achieved more than 10 A* to A grades, with 13 students achieving 10 or more coveted A* grades. These results are achieved a year early at the end of Year 10.

Head teacher Paul Evans said: "These are excellent results from a group of young people who have taken GCSEs in their stride a year ahead of normal and are ready for the challenges of sixth form.

"The next three years will provide them with a wide range of experiences in preparation for higher education."

Among the outstanding results were: Charlie Brown and Jamie Wells with 12 A*s; 11 A* achievers - Philip Stoneman and Harriet Wright;10 A* achievers - Phoebe Hill, from Lyme Regis; Tom Pearson, from Colyton; Adam Speake, from Seaton; Samantha Wallace, from Kilmington, Mariam Anderson, Louis Biggs, Ciara Deehan-Jackson, Isabel Gyger and Claire Machin; and 9 A * achievers - Tilly Barnes Harris, from Colyford, Daisy Flanagan, from Honiton, Annie Parr, from Seaton, Thomas Taylor, from Kilmington, Sophie Parker-Rees; Katy Barker; Danielle Brown; Liberty Brown.